I've seen lots of bulletin posts and of course comments about the state of affairs in Michigan (most of them negative).  I thought I would share with you what someone outside of Grand Rapids actually thought about our city.                                  The article in The Patriot Ledger gave Grand Rapids raving reviews.  Can you believe it?  Actually, I can.  If you have lived somewhere besides Michigan you would see some of the things that make Grand Rapids and Michigan in general a great place to live.Here are some of the points that the article talked about for Grand Rapids."What a nice town, what a surprise!""A place that truly seems to represent good old-fashioned American values.""streets of Grand Rapids as as gleaming as the refurbished buildings throughout downtown.""Communit... 07/09/2007

The Grand Rapids area has a paper published called the "Legal News".  This has a variety of key sections that can be very helpful or embarrassing if you do not know it is going to be published.  The "legal News" is a subscription paper like all the others or can be purchased at the local news stand.   Here is a brief description of what you can find on a weekly basis.Bankruptcies, are listed by name and how much they are oweLawsuits, listing the plaintiff and defendants namesFictitious name filingsDivorce petitions or filings and who along with decreesForeclosures who and how much, which lenderMortgage information and how muchCorporate informationMarriage license filingsName ChangesFederal Tax LiensState Tax LiensMichigan Unemployment taxes, not paidThe list goes on.  Many times the law... 07/07/2007

Foreclosure may occur when you miss your mortgage payments. Your mortgage company can repossess your home and if your property is worth less than the total amount you owe on your loan, your mortgage company may seek a deficiency judgment. Some options if you fall behind on your payments:Refinance your mortgage loan; this may help you catch up by reducing the monthly payments to an affordable yet comfortable payment.Contact your mortgage company and find out if you can qualify for a special forbearance, you may have to arrange a repayment plan based on your financial situation. This is often granted for people that have lost their jobs, or have gone through any unexpected increase in living expenses, for example retirement, or new baby, family death, etc...  Be aware of equity scamming, ... 07/02/2007

The last 20 years have witnessed a dramatic transformation of the downtown area of Grand Rapids, Mi.  Downtown Grand Rapids is one of Michigan's best kept secrets!  A recent article in the Grand Rapids Magazine highlighted some of Grand Rapids, Michigan's best kept secrets which included the following facts:You Can Live Tax Free in Grand Rapid's Renaissance Zone!The First Green Museum in the Whole World (The New Grand Rapids Arts Museum) is currently under construction in Grand Rapids, Michigan!  The Greater Downtown Grand Rapids area has 10 Public parks!When I've taken family members, visiting from out of state downtown, they are always surprised by how vibrant & sophisticated the downtown area has become.  In addition to a varied and eclectic collection of restaurant options, the down... 06/30/2007

Much of the news in Grand Rapids, Michigan recently has focused on what's leaving the State.  The list has be quite extensive...people (Michigan had more people leave than come to the State last year), factories and jobs, and this past week, a sad new entry...Heartwell Mortgage Company, a longtime Grand Rapids mortgage lender announced that it is closing its doors mid July.You can imagine my surprise to experience a totally different side of this transition process this week.  I was involved in assisting a client to find temporary housing during a relocation move...TO GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN!  As we toured apartment complexes which had furnished rental units, we visited the Woodland Creek Apartment complex.  As I drove up to the leasing office, I could tell they were busy...they were loa... 06/29/2007

I love the for sale by owner market! In the Grand Rapids, Michigan real estate market and the Michigan real estate market in general, trying to be a for sale by owner takes a lot of guts.  I don't mean this in a bad way.  What I mean is that it is tough enough to sell even when you are represented by a Realtor because there are so many homes for sale in the Grand Rapids marketplace.  As of the end of May, the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors board (GRAR) reported that there were over 15,000 listings from January through May of this year.  That is a lot of homes for sale and doesn't even include the for sale by owner population.  Forsalebyowner.com - Does it Work? I don't know, you tell me?  I do have an interesting story that I've heard about this website that I thought I would shar... 06/26/2007

Recently, I've had a really great reminder of how to conduct business.  K.I.S.S. - stands for Keep It Simple, Stupid.  It's a really great acronym and one that I have to be constantly reminded of.  I have so many things going on in my mind-things to do, people to see, calls to make... In fact, a lot of times I look at all the things to do that I get nothing done!  What a frustrating process especially at the end of the day when you look back and see that you still have ALL these things to do!I know, I know... it all comes back to time management.  Block off certain times of the day to return phone calls, make calls, write blogs etc, etc...  I wish someone could tell me how to handle the kid distractions and everything else that comes up throughout the day.  Football Plays and How it Rel... 06/26/2007

I must have missed one or two days, because all of the sudden we are over 35,000.  It took a little longer than I had predicted.  We reached 30,000 on May 13th, so it took we will say 40 days to crest the 35,000 mark.  Why are we slowing down people? It is good growth, just not quite what I had expected.  Lets see when we hit 40,000 members of  Active Rain.  I am adjusting my prediction on hitting 50,000.  It must be summer and more people are out enjoying the nice weather instead of hunkered down surviving the winter using valuable time in front of their computers.  I think it will be August 21st, before we break the 50,000.  Who else has guesses? 06/25/2007

"We've been waiting for you to call.  When are you going to come and list our house?"  A little startled, I inquired about how long they had been waiting.  I had just been notified that a referral had come through and had called...I thought immediately.  After apologizing for a breakdown in communication, an appointment was scheduled in short order.  3 offers and 4 months later she's waiting again.  But, this time, she's waiting for her appointment to sign documents at the Closing of her home.  I'm just a few minutes late due to having to fill up for gas...my son's been driving the car and on the way to the closing, I find I'm driving on fumes.  It's been quite a ride.  Grand Rapid, Michigan is going through a challenging period in real estate.  Currently, many homes are waiting 11-12 m... 06/19/2007

First, I will spend the time to explain what agency law is and why it important to understand. This way you will understand how I work for your best interest at all time and how buyer and other agent law works when they come to look at your home.Second, we will go through the Completive Market Analysis which is a tool I use to help us determine the right price to list your home for in the current Market conditionsThird, we'll go through all your Marketing options. There is my where service excels! I will offer you new up to date marketing that will use the Internet as tool to sell your home that very few agencies know how to use. With 80 % of all buyers first looking online before going to look at homes wouldn't you like to have your home the house they see first on the internet with th... 06/19/2007

Are you thinking about selling your home in Grand Rapids Michigan our Surrounding Kent County in the next 2 years? Do you want to start getting free information before you list your home?Well that's what I'll do for you if you decide you want this free service. This service includes one time CMA of your property and monthly update of what homes are selling for in your area. I will also keep you updated on homes that are listed and what homes are selling for in the area that you would like to move to.Yes, this is all free and you do not have to using me when you decided to sell or buy a home. All I ask is that you give me the opportunity to come and tell you all that I have to offer when you're ready to list your home 06/19/2007

So you're thinking about buying a home in Grand Rapids Michigan our surrounding Kent County. Great! Let me explain how I work with you to get the best price and terms for the home you're thinking about purchasing.First things first. I will make sure you know and understand what a Buyers' Agency is. I am sorry; but I only work with people that want me to give them the best service possible! That means signing a buyer's Agency, it's the best thing you can do as a buyer! If you're not completely happy with my services I will fix what you're upset about in 3 days or I will tear the agreement up!Then, when you sign a Buyer's Agency my duties change for working for the seller to now working for you and you alone.So when I work for you I will make sure you know everything about the home before... 06/19/2007

There are many different resources today that will help you find the home of your dreams before even talking to an agent. First resource is Grrealestate.net that can point you in the right direction. Click on the Search Kent County Homes Page and pick any of the links to go to the Multiple Listing Service Provided by the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors. From this search page you will be able to find home in the school district or area of town you want to live in and you can also look up homes in different categories like Price Bedrooms, Baths and many other things.The second and more in-depth resource to search listings on line is called the Home Buyers Scouting Report. Very few agents are able to offer this produce to the public. But I have been able to secure this resource for an... 06/18/2007

Being active in the Grand Rapids market and West Michigan this article caught my eye.  It did not tell me anything new but it may give you some finger tip information.  They had a section called by the numbers and used the figures generated from the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors and the West Michigan Lakeshore Association of Realtors.Communities where the average home prices have fallen are:Rockford     Grandville     Holland     Grand Rapids     Wyoming     Grand Haven     Kentwood     TallmadgeAlpine Twp     Courtland Twp     Dorr/Hopkins     Gaines Twp     GR Twp     Hudsonville     JamestownLeighton/Wayland     Plainfield     Coopersville     Sparta TwpWhere have homes and areas that maintained value or "Bucked the Trend" as the article stated?Solon Twp     Walker     Byron T... 06/10/2007

 We're at the halfway point for the year & it has come mighty quickly!  This year, for the first time, the Grand Rapids, Real Estate Association of Realtors(GRAR) launched an ad campaign with the focus "Now is The Right Time to Buy!"  While advertising does not create instantaneous results, it is helpful to see how our market is comparing with the newly revised market predictions form the National Association of Realtors. (NAR)  First, let's take a look at the local scene.So far, this year, the highest sales price in the Grand Rapids, Michigan School District has been $479,000 which was just about 1/2 the price of the highest sale price for East Grand Rapids, Michigan ($1,375,000) and 5-10% lower than some neighboring communities such as Hastings, Michigan where the highest sales prices... 06/09/2007

 cartoon reprinted by permissionfrom Inman NewsI just listed a home today that expired twice by other realtors.  The first thing I can tell you that I learn from sellers that fail to have their home sold is they usually are disappointed and even mad.  Today was not exception.  The seller had chosen an agent based on ethnic ties.  He felt he would get better representation because he would be understood being represented by his own race.  The seller told me all the reasons the home did not sell.  I acknowledged the reasons but did not comment.  After a little time passed he calmed down and was ready to begin discussing his home.   We just did small talk and I earned some respect and rapport with my potential client.He started listening to my presentation.  I was amazed to be stopped abou... 06/05/2007

Four zero down options for Michigan buyers: No points or origination fees!!! (Options based a full income and asset documentation loan on $200k purchase price no points  or origination fee and standard closing costs. Rates and costs and mortgage insurance may vary based upon loan size and credit score)   First and second piggy back mortgage: (Based on credit score of 700) (Structured as either a 80/20 or 75/25 This is when you use a second mortgage to avoid PMI)   First Rate 6.625%/ APR 6.733 Second (no cost) Rate and APR 8.375%     One loan no PMI (Based on a credit score of 680)   Rate 7.25%/ APR 7.32   One Loan with PMI (standard conforming PMI 35% coverage. APR may look high because PMI is included many lenders ignore the addition of PMI when calculating APR in violation of the Tru... 06/05/2007

Reprinted by permission of Inman News. As real estate agents we have been told time and time again about disclosure requirements.  For-Sale-By-Owners seem to have a harder time understanding the concept of disclosure.  Many do not even know they can get disclosure forms from the local MLS.  We offer forms free, all they have to do is pick them up.  This may not be true in other areas.Disclosure is not for some and not others, it is the law.  I had an interesting case recently.  I know the disclosure laws and follow them to the letter.  I was representing the seller.  I went over the disclosure forms with the seller and asked them to fill them out to the best of their knowledge.  Each question is straight forward and simple to understand.  I had known the sellers for a number of years an... 06/04/2007

As I journey on Active Rain I find my creativity blossoming. I have always wanted to write ... now I have found a forum.As we journey together in the rain, let us not forget to thank the person who brought Active Rain to us. For me, this is an incredible journey on which I have spread my wings like a butterfly (photo from monarch-butterfly.com)  and have journeyed into new territories...for me  I have found I love the Green Scene. I have jumped in both feet first and have been taking everything in like a sponge.  I want to thank Lola Audu for introducing the AR community to me and so many others and inviting me to play in the rain. Lola stands apart as a true professional. As a professional Lola is true to her ethics and morals. Lola is also a dynamic speaker, blogger and Realtor/Broker... 06/04/2007

If you have not heard yet when you buy a home using my services in the Garfield Park Neighborhood you could be eligible for $10,000 down payment assistance and also $20,000 to fix the home up.Yes you hear me right it's a new program that has just been rolled out! So if you are looking for a home in Garfield Park Neighborhood and want some money to fix it up we can now do that.If you are looking for home in other areas of Grand Rapids or surrounding areas please don't get worried there may be programs out there for you! If you are looking for down payment assistance or other programs in Grand Rapids please don't hesitate to call as there are many more programs out there to get hooked up with!So send me an email today to get more information! 06/04/2007